Leslie Cerier - Gluten-Free Recipes for the Conscious Cook: A Seasonal, Vegetarian Cookbook

For over two decades, I have been encouraging gluten-free sabbaticals for my clients suffering from various chronic health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, chronic fatigue, neurological problems, and other ailments. The results have been nothing less than amazing.

Once, I received a call from a client who I had seen because her daughter had been diagnosed with celiac disease. This mom knew that the best way for her daughter to adapt to a gluten-free diet was to have her entire family follow the same plan. So she too changed her diet. A few months later, she called me and explained that for years she had been plagued by a terribly painful bunion and had been to podiatrists, naturopaths, and acupuncturists, but nothing brought relief. Three months after she switched to a gluten-free diet, her bunion disappeared. She wanted to know if I had ever heard of this before. Although I have seen troubling skin conditions improve, hearing return, irritable bowel symptoms resolve, migraine headaches disappear, and depression lift, I had to admit that I had never heard of a disappearing bunion.

Nutritionists and dietitians have known for some time that gluten must be strictly avoided by those with celiac disease, but only recently has research shown that eliminating gluten can help improve autoimmune, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, dermatological, and some neurological conditions. Gluten can even wreak havoc on thyroid function and may be a factor in the twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity. Many parents believe that eliminating gluten is one of the most helpful therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders. I, too, have witnessed dramatic positive behavior changes in both children and adults who have made the transition to a whole-food, gluten-free diet.

But changing your diet isnt always easy, especially when it comes to gluten. Many of the foods that make up the typical diet today also deliver a megadose of gluten. Favorite all-American comfort foods like pizza, macaroni and cheese, cereals, sandwiches, desserts, and snack foods are laden with gluten. Our taste buds have had a long-standing love affair with this substance. I am excited to finally have an excellent cookbook to share with my clients. This book offers truly delicious gluten-free recipes.

But thats not all. Leslie Cerier is part of an environmentally focused movement championing sustainable nutrition and food systems. Gluten-Free Recipes for the Conscious Cook: A Seasonal Vegetarian Cookbook dishes up environmentally savvy recipes that are healthy not only for your body, mind, and spirit, but also for our precious planet. Loaded with culinary tips for a sustainable kitchen, this long-overdue cookbook is a mouthwatering adventure into the greening of gluten-free cooking. It will satisfy the most environmentally conscious cook.

I have had the opportunity to teach green and gluten-free workshops with Leslie Cerier in the kitchen at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. It is a wild and exciting adventure as she works her culinary magic, sharing her creative genius with each enchanting, earth-friendly recipe that inspires us to cook green and gluten free. I know you will savor each nourishing moment you spend reading and cooking with this book.

Kathie Madonna Swift, MS, RD, LDN